Lake Shore
Hosp Authority

Authority Manager Berry unexpectedly found himself
without allies last night.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last night at the Lake Shore
Hospital Authority, Authority Manager Jackson P. "Jack"
Berry, former Republican Party Chieftain and operative,
ignored long standing Authority policy when he attempted
to score a free room for the Columbia County Republican
Executive Committee's monthly meetings at the
Authority's Headquarters.

According to Mr. Berry, LSHA Board member Lory
Chancy's husband, a Rep. Executive Committee member,
came to Berry looking for the room.

With the completion of the monolithic million dollar
plus Authority Headquarters in 2009, for its then two
employees, there were extensive discussions regarding
who would use the Authority's meeting rooms.

By unanimous motion, on January 11, 2010, the Board
approved allowing only use by health related
organizations, either profit or nonprofit during normal
business hours.

Chairman Khan remained stone faced while listening to
the sudden request.

Mr. Berry told the Board, "I have a request from Mr.
Joe Chancy, with the Republican Executive Committee, who
would like to use the upstairs meeting room for their
meetings and they have function set up for Congressman
Yoho here in the next couple of weeks and they would
like to use it for that."

Chairman Waseem Khan surprised by the request, asked,
"How often will they use it?"

Manager Berry didn't know the day of the week.

Manager Berry answered, "Once a month, which would be
the second Monday of each month -- no -- first Monday --
or third Monday -- whenever."

Authority Board member Tim Murphy, who is also a
member of the Republican Committee advised the
Authority, "The third Monday."

Manager Berry added, "And two of the [Authority]
board members are on that committee, anyway."

Marc Vann balked at Mr. Berry's attempted end run around
Board policy.

Authority Board member Marc Vann said, "I think we
ruled out any of that kind of stuff." Mr. Vann explained
that a few years ago the Board discussed that the room
would only be used for public service -- health related
events.

Manager Berry told the Board that the City Hall in
Live Oak allows it. "They allow the Democrats and
Republicans to meet there. It's up to the Board."

The topic of fees came up and it was explained that a
deposit "is needed for a cleaning fee."

Manager Berry said there was no problem with "these
folks keeping it clean."

Mr. Vann was not persuaded, "I thought we made it
very specific. It had to be for health related stuff."

Board member Tim Murphy volunteered to foot the bill
for the Republicans, "As long as the grant doesn't
exceed $100, I'll donate $100 to the Republican Party
for the rent. Stephen [Douglas, Auth. and Rep. Board
member] can pay the other 50."

Chairman Khan asked, "Do we need a motion?"

Mr. Adams answered, "Yeah, if you want to have it
approved."

Chairman Khan inquired, "Is there further discussion,
or do we have a motion?"

Mr. Vann dug in, "I don't think we need a motion
until we see what the rules say. We spent hours
discussing this."

Mr. Murphy spoke about the fee, "Without a fee, I
think it opens the door wide open."

Manager Berry ignores public
records request, again:

At 8:56 am, the Observer requested
the document from which Mr. Berry read. At 10:52 am, the
Observer requested the Room Use Agreement.

Mr. Berry ignored the requests.

Sue Fraze, the Authority's long time Administrative
Director left the room and came back with a piece of
paper.

Manager Berry, "Let's see what this says on this
thing here." No one identified the document.

Mr. Vann, "It's toward the top. She underlined
something."

"Don't shoot Paul Revere"

Manager Berry continued, "It's normally used for
health related purposes consistent with the mission of
the Lake Shore Hospital Authority -- and normally --
like I say, it's up to the board -- I'm just a
middleman. Don't shoot Paul Revere. Personally, I don't
see anything wrong with it. I think it would give us
more exposure... I think these folk's tax dollars helped
to build it."

Mr. Adams quipped again, "I'm almost certain that
Congressman Yoho is going to mention the Affordable Care
Act, in some way or other."

The Board laughed.

Chairman Khan to the Board, "It sounds like you
already made the decision a few years ago."

There was a pregnant pause. Mr. Berry was getting red
faced. It is unusual when this Gov. appointed board
bucks up against him.

Manager Berry broke the silence, "I just want a yes
or no."

Chairman Khan told the old Republican chieftain,
"Sounds like a no Jack. If someone wants to make a
motion, second it and vote, we can do that."